STEVE DUNKELBERGER: THEATER THURSDAY >>>

Empress of the Waves
An original work that tell the story of an amazing pirate and a woman's obsession. The show is fast paced and as everything a solid adventure story should have, action, romance and leather boots.
[The Midnight Sun Performance Space, 7:30 and 10 p.m. tonight and Friday, $5-$10, 113 N Columbia St., Olympia]

The Beauty Queen of Leenane
This creepy Irish tale of mental torture, odd behavior and suspense will have you jumping from your seat.
[Olympia Little Theatre, through June 22, 7:55 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 1:55 p.m. Sunday, $10-$12 at Yenny's Music on Harrison Ave., or BuyOlympia.com, 1925 Miller Ave. N.E., Olympia, 360.786.9484]

Pinocchio
Tacoma Children's Musical Theater is staging Pinocchio, its adaptation of the classic Italian storybook tale involving some dude with a creepy need to have a boy of his own so he crafts one out of wood, dreams it becomes real, which happens due to fairies. That seems like a bad acid trip that should be reported to Child Protective Services to me. But that is another story.
[Narrows Theatre, 2 p.m.  June 14, 15, $10-$15, 7116 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.565.6867]

One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest
Lakewood Playhouse gets a bit dark with its staging of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, a theatrical adaptation by Dale Wasserman of the 1962 novel by Ken Kesey. What makes this show work is the strength of the supporting cast. There were no stereotypical “crazy people”; each had their own ticks and nuances that showed the actors paid attention to their roles and developed their characters.
[Lakewood Playhouse, through June 22, 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, $11.50-$19.50, 5729 Lakewood Towne Center Blvd., Lakewood, 253.588. 0042]

LINK: Rocky Horror Picture Show review.
LINK: Local stage calendar